10 Best Photography Printers

The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 A3+ Wi-Fi Ink Tank Photo Printer is an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts who require high-quality prints. Its 6-colour ink system, including a dedicated grey ink, ensures superior color accuracy and rich, detailed black-and-white photos. The printer's capability to handle up to A3+ print sizes makes it versatile for larger prints and art projects. Additionally, the pigment black ink provides sharp text printing, making this printer suitable for both photo and document printing needs.

One standout feature is the cost efficiency, with the ability to print up to 2,300 high-quality photos from one set of ink bottles. This makes it economically attractive for those who print frequently. The refill process is designed to be user-friendly and mess-free, which is a big plus for convenience. Connectivity options are robust, with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, SD card, and USB flash drive support, allowing for seamless integration into various setups. The 10.9cm color touchscreen further enhances ease of use.

Artistic media compatibility is another strength, as it can handle various media types and sizes, including thick craft papers and long media up to 2 meters. This makes it an excellent tool for creative projects. However, there are some drawbacks. The print speeds, at 16 ppm for monochrome and 12 ppm for color, might be slower than some users prefer, particularly for high-volume printing tasks. The maximum print resolution of 600 dpi for color, although sufficient for most uses, might not meet the needs of professionals seeking the highest possible clarity and detail. The 50-sheet input capacity is relatively low, which could be inconvenient for larger print jobs. Weighing in at 11.1 kilograms, it is also on the heavier side, which may affect portability.

In conclusion, the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is ideal for photography enthusiasts and creative professionals who prioritize print quality, media versatility, and cost efficiency over speed and portability.

The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 is a solid choice for photo enthusiasts looking for high-quality prints without frequent ink replacements. Its 6-colour ink system, including a dedicated grey ink, helps produce sharp, vibrant photos up to A4 size with excellent color accuracy and detailed black-and-white prints. The use of Claria ET Premium pigment inks means your photos are long-lasting and the pigment black ink ensures crisp text on regular paper. One big advantage is its economical ink tank system, allowing up to 2,300 photos per refill, which can save a lot of money compared to traditional cartridges. It’s also fairly fast for a photo printer, printing up to 12 colour pages per minute, and supports double-sided printing. Connectivity options are versatile, featuring Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and even direct printing from SD cards or USB drives, making it easy to print from various devices including smartphones and tablets.

The printer handles different paper types well, with separate trays for photo paper and A4 documents, plus it can print on thicker media and even CDs/DVDs, giving creative flexibility. The 10.9 cm colour touchscreen and Epson’s Smart Panel app add convenience in managing prints and settings from your phone. The heat-free Micro Piezo technology helps keep energy use low while maintaining consistent print speed. However, the printer is somewhat bulky (over 11 kg) and limited to A4 size, which might not suit those needing larger prints. Additionally, while ink savings are significant, initial setup and refilling ink tanks can be a bit messier than cartridge replacement for some users. This model is ideal if you want a cost-effective, versatile photo printer that delivers good colour accuracy and print quality for everyday and artistic projects at home.

The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 is a high-quality A3+ photo printer designed for photography enthusiasts and professionals looking for gallery-level prints. Its standout feature is the 10-pigment LUCIA PRO II ink system with Chroma Optimiser, which offers excellent colour accuracy and smooth, reflective finishes that help prevent bronzing. This means your photos will look vibrant and professional, with colours that last up to 200 years without fading, making it ideal for prints you want to display or sell.

The printer supports borderless printing on a variety of paper types, including glossy and fine art, and can handle large custom sizes up to 1.8 meters long, which is great for panoramic shots. Connectivity is flexible with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, allowing easy printing from PCs, Macs, and even smartphones or tablets. The large, clear display helps you manage settings and monitor ink and paper levels with ease.

Print speed is quite slow at 0.25 pages per minute for both colour and monochrome, so it is not suited for quick or high-volume printing. The maximum input capacity is 100 sheets, which is sufficient for most photo projects but might be limiting for heavier workloads. Consumables, such as the 10 separate pigment inks, tend to be expensive, typical for professional photo printers, so running costs should be considered. If your priority is producing high-resolution, colour-accurate, archival-quality photos with flexible paper handling and wireless options, this printer fits well. However, for faster printing or lower operating costs, other options may be more suitable.